Englisch ist Englisch, oder? Solang man den amerikanischen Dialekt meistern kann fällt man nicht auf? Leider falsch gedacht. Zwischen dem amerikanischen und dem britischen Englisch gibt es wesentliche Unterschiede, von den Redewendungen ganz zu schweigen. Es hat (selbst für mich als Muttersprachler) lange gedauert bis ich die Eigenheiten verstanden und (halbwegs) gemeistert hatte. Schon seit mehreren Monaten sammle ich interessante Unterschiede zwischen den scheinbar “gleichen” Sprachen. Aber nicht irgendwelche Sachen die ich via Google gefunden habe, sondern tatsächliche Unterschiede dir mir (teilweise täglich) über den Weg laufen.
Die erste Tabelle listet Objekte die in England und USA unterschiedliche Namen haben. Die zweite Tabelle listet Wörter die gleich sind, aber in England und USA unterschiedliche Bedeutungen haben. Viel Spaß!
|
British English |
American English |
|
Aircon |
A/C |
|
American Football |
Football |
|
Aubergine |
Eggplant |
|
Autumn |
Fall |
|
Bank note |
Bill |
|
Bathroom / Toilet |
Restroom |
|
Biro |
Ball-point (pen) |
|
Biscuit |
Cookie |
|
Bonnet (of a car) |
Hood |
|
Boot (of a car) |
Trunk |
|
Brackets (in mathematical equations) |
Parentheses |
|
Car park |
Parking lot |
|
Caravan |
RV (or trailer) |
|
Caretaker |
Janitor |
|
Chemist’s |
Drugstore (or pharmacy) |
|
Chest of drawers |
Dresser |
|
Chips |
Fries |
|
Cinema |
Movie Theatre |
|
Cricket (insect) |
Grasshopper |
|
Crisps |
Chips |
|
Crossroads |
Intersection |
|
Dash (“ – “) |
Hyphen |
|
Dustbin |
Trash can |
|
Duvet |
Comforter |
|
Fish fingers |
Fish sticks |
|
Flat |
Apartment |
|
Football |
Soccer |
|
Fringe (of hair) |
Bangs |
|
Frying pan |
Skillet |
|
Full stop (in writing) |
Period |
|
Game |
Match |
|
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone |
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone |
|
Headmaster |
Principal |
|
Hockey |
Field hockey |
|
Holiday |
Vacation |
|
Hoover |
Vacuum (cleaner) |
|
Ice hockey |
Hockey |
|
Ill (to feel) |
Sick |
|
Jam (i.e. strawberry jam) |
Jelly (i.e. strawberry jelly) |
|
Jug (of juice) |
Pitcher |
|
Jumper (clothing) |
Sweater |
|
Lay (the table) |
Set |
|
Letter box |
Mail box |
|
Lift |
Elevator |
|
Lorry |
Truck (or Tractor-Trailer) |
|
Maths |
Math |
|
Mobile phone |
Cell phone |
|
Motorbike |
Motorcycle |
|
Motorway / Dual Carriageway |
Highway |
|
Mum |
Mom |
|
Nappy |
Diaper |
|
Number plate (on a car) |
License plate |
|
Pavement |
Sidewalk |
|
Pedestrian crossing |
Crosswalk |
|
Petrol |
Gas (or gasoline) |
|
Prawn |
Shrimp |
|
Queue (outside a store) |
Line |
|
Roundabout |
Traffic circle (or rotary) |
|
Rucksack |
Backpack |
|
Spanner |
Wrench |
|
Stock (in a warehouse) |
Inventory |
|
Tap (on a sink) |
Faucet |
|
Taxi |
Cab |
|
Timetable |
Schedule |
|
Torch |
Flashlight |
|
Traffic light |
Traffic signal |
|
Trainers (shoes) |
Sneakers |
|
Trousers |
Pants |
|
Uni |
School (even for higher education) |
|
Wash up |
Do the dishes |
|
Washing (to do the) |
Laundry |
|
Where’s Wally? |
Where’s Waldo? |
|
Windscreen |
Windshield |
|
Wing (of a car) |
Fender |
|
Word |
British Meaning |
American Meaning |
|
AA |
Automobile Association |
Alcoholics Anonymous |
|
Athlete |
Someone who participates in track and field events |
Someone who participates in sports in general |
|
Bum |
Someone’s backside |
Tramp / beggar |
|
Pissed |
Drunk |
Annoyed, mad |
|
Rubber |
Tool to erase pencil markings |
Condom |
|
Sub |
Substitute (e.g. in a football game) |
Baguette-like sandwich |
|
Traffic |
Cars on the road |
Traffic jam |
|
United |
Manchester United |
United Airlines |